Natural structures are characterized by differentiation and local adaptation of geometrical, physical and chemical properties and thereby employ principles of structural formation that significantly differ from usual construction principles in architecture. Computational design methods, digital simulation, recent developments in material sciences and computational controlled manufacturing processes open up new possibilities for the transfer of form and functional interrelations found in natural constructions into architecture.

In collaboration with biologists from the University Tübingen we will investigate natural role models for fibre composite structures. The work will focus on the biomimetic transfer of natural structural formation principles into novel constructive and spatial structures. The structures potential will be investigated by physical models and it will provide the base for the architectural design process. The integrated seminar will teach basic skills in parametric modelling involving the possibilities of robotic fabrication and general knowledge about designing composite materials.

The developed processes and construction systems will be experimentally developed and practically applied by the design of a pavillon proposal. The challenge is to explore the thus far unexplored design space of fibre composite structures in architecture. Similarly to previous years, the aspiration for the project is the realization of the pavilion within the following summer semester. As a prerequisite for participation in the design studio, students must attend the integrated seminar ,,Performative Morphologie III“. Successful participation in the design studio offers the possibility to continue the work as a bachelor thesis in the summer semester 2013.